Create Your Own Wall Stencils
I wanted to do some geometric shapes on the wall in the baby room, so I created a stencil. Start to finish on this project is about 1-2 hours.
Pick your shape
You can trace fabric, freehand, or create your own shape. I used one of Tristan’s Photoshop brushes.
Trace your shape
Trace your shape onto the stencil surface. I used leftover shelf-liner {contact paper}. It has a sheen on it, which means it won’t get soggy or ruined like paper would. You can also use posterboard to create the stencil.
Cut out your stencil
I added thickness to my shape. Remember that if you have a shape like mine, you need to leave pieces of the inner portion attached to the outer portion or you’ll have a hole.
Start stenciling
Tape your stencil on the wall with blue painter’s tape. You may need to use your fingers to hold parts of the stencil down to get a crisp line.
I’m using a mini roller cover I had, because I thought it would work best, but you can use a stencil brush, foam brush or sponge.
Get in the corners
I always think it adds interest for your stencils to round the corners. Just use your free hand to help lay the stencil flat in the corner.
If your stencil gets yucky…
Just wipe it off, let it dry, or make a new one.
Clean Up
You can always fix mistakes. Keep a wet paper towel nearby. If you pull your stencil off and see that the paint has bled, you can easily wipe it off. Once it’s dry, just touch up with the wall paint. You should go back and fill in the gaps that were left by the stencil, but in this case, I like how they look. I’m going to keep ‘em.
Just Some Stuff I’d Like To Make
My iPhone is stocked with photos of things I’d like to make. Here are a few:
How to Pick a Wall Color
Picking a wall color seems to stump everybody. I get asked to pick wall colors frequently and I always use the same logic to pick the right wall color to suit a client/friend/family member.
Unless it’s a brand new room, I don’t pick any random color in a deck. It has to make sense. I will look around the space, and find things that the homeowner is most fond of that has patterns or colors that they feel signify them and the feel of their home. This is usually a pillow, painting, rug or other piece of art. From there, I pick the wall color.
After I have chosen a hue, I can then decide the saturation. Depending on the size of the room, the feel of the home or the personality of the homeowner, I can direct how bright or dull the color should be. Here are some examples of colors that can be taken from what you already have in your home, and how you can bring them together.
Here are some examples of how I have discovered color swatches:
Here are things I have learned along the way:
1. The color is always brighter than it looks on the swatch. Swatches are tiny, and whenever possible, buy paint samples (as available at Benjamin Moore) so you can see the paint on the actual wall.
2. Lighting varies. A color will look completely different under flourescent lighting, sunlight, low-light, etc. View your color in the room at all levels of light before you commit.
3. You get what you pay for. Buying cheap paint will never leave you satisfied. My favorite brand is Benjamin Moore, and my favorite alternate brand is Behr from Home Depot. I have always been happy with these brands.
4. Tint your primer. If you are covering a dark wall, ask to have your primer tinted to the new color. This will require less coats of paint.
5. Learn from the experts! I have had the opportunity to work with four great color experts, all of which can be seen on television. They have great tips and excellent control over color, each in their own way:
Shannon Kaye – interior designer and decorative painter
David Bromstad - interior designer and artist
Danielle Hirsch – decorative painter
Karen McAloon - interior designer
Shannon Kaye (my sister) on View From The Bay
My adorable and talented sister was on View From The Bay on ABC Network yesterday. She did a spot on creating your own stencils with posterboard, tracing paper and an X-Acto knife. This is such a great way to make patterns in your home. You can design your own, or Shannon says she gets her inspiration from fabrics and artwork.
Check out the video here… click on the segment titled “Personalize Your Space with Stencils.”